Author Receives Distinguished Young Alumni Award

Posted on April 8, 2011

A best-selling author of novels that depict the struggles and triumphs of teenagers has been honored with a Distinguished Young Alumni Award by the General Alumni Association.

Sarah Dessen ’93, whose 10th book, What Happened to Goodbye, will be published in May, received the award at a banquet on Friday for bringing credit to the University through her achievements.

“The remarkable accomplishments of many of Carolina’s younger alumni such as Sarah are truly inspiring,” said GAA President Doug Dibbert ’70.

Dessen, who grew up in Chapel Hill, graduated with a degree in English after studying creative writing. Her first book, That Summer, was published in 1996. That novel and her second, Someone Like You, were the basis for the 2003 movie How to Deal, starring Mandy Moore and Allison Janney.

Dessen’s themes address issues facing teenagers as they grow into young adults. Many of her books have won awards or received top recommendations from such prominent literary organizations as the American Library Association and have appeared on major best-seller lists, including The New York Times.

Dessen also taught creative writing at UNC for eight years before leaving to write full time.

Since 1989, the GAA’s Distinguished Young Alumni Awards have recognized alumni age 40 or younger whose accomplishments have brought credit to the University. A roster of past recipients is available at alumni.unc.edu/awards.

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More online…

• Previous award recipients are listed at alumni.unc.edu/awards; detailed coverage is available from the Carolina Alumni Review, in the GAA’s members-only area of the Web site, and is searchable.
• Two From ’93 Receive GAA’s Award For Young Alumni
  News report from October 2010
• GAA Honors Three With Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
  News report from October 2009
• Service at Heart of GAA’s Recognition of Two Young Alumni 
  News report from October 2008
• Two ’93 Graduates Receive GAA’s Distinguished Young Alumni Awards 
  News report from October 2007
• Global Visionaries: GAA Honors Two Alumni Who Make a Difference
  News report from October 2006
• GAA Honors ESPN Anchor, Principal and Teacher
  News report from October 2005
• Three Win Distinguished Young Alumni Award
  News report from October 2004

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